Christian Pulisic was forced to leave Tuesday’s U.S. men’s national team friendly against Australia early with an injury.
Following the match, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said that Pulisic suffered a hamstring injury.
‘He felt something in his hamstring,’ Pochettino said. ‘Tomorrow he will fly to Italy, tonight we will assess, and we cannot say nothing at the moment.’
Pulisic came into the game dealing with an ankle issue that first cropped up in AC Milan’s preseason, but was fit enough to start after playing the final 20 minutes of Friday’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador.
But the star attacker’s night was over by the 31st minute as he limped off the pitch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
Pulisic was slow to get up after a 15th-minute tackle from Australia defender Jason Geria, who won the ball but also appeared to follow through into Pulisic’s leg.
But the 27-year-old was able to continue — until another confrontation with Geria just 10 minutes later.
Pulisic spun Geria with a great turn near midfield, and the defender clipped the attacker from behind to stop a U.S. break. As the referee gave Geria a yellow card, Pulisic remained down on the turf.
After U.S. trainers checked Pulisic out, the AC Milan attacker was withdrawn from the match in favor of Diego Luna.
Pulisic was able to walk off under his own power, but appeared visibly frustrated as he went to the bench and then eventually down the tunnel.
Jordan Bos gave Australia the lead in the 19th minute, but Haji Wright equalized for the USMNT just two minutes after Pulisic left the pitch.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
